Takeaways
- Quick Quack Car Wash needed to enhance employee happiness and retention in the fast-paced, high-turnover service industry.
- By implementing strategic recognition programs through Awardco, they made work more enjoyable and rewarding for all employees.
- Turnover dropped by 20%, culture improved across 180+ locations, and recognition became a company-wide celebration.
Company Overview
About Quick Quack Car Wash
Quick Quack began in 2004 as an idea and a desire by a few business partners. The desire was to wake up every morning feeling that their efforts were changing lives for the better. The idea was to achieve that desire by way of an outstanding car wash product and an amazing work environment. From a single car wash in Sacramento, California, the business quickly grew to a handful of locations. Then, in 2008, the company doubled in size by acquiring a small chain of car washes in northwest Texas named Quick Quack Car Wash. Shortly following the acquisition, the Quick Quack name was adopted across all 13 locations. Headquartered in Roseville, California, Quick Quack now owns and operates over 180 locations across Arizona, California, Colorado, Texas, and Utah, with continued growth throughout these regions. Quick Quack takes pride in having been awarded “The Best of…” or “The Favorite” car wash in every community where a Quick Quack can be found. Additionally, Quick Quack has been recognized as a leader in establishing an environmentally friendly and sustainable business. As the company continues to grow, the founding partners never lose sight of the Quick Quack mission to Change Lives for The Better. Through their Random Quacks of Kindness, community fundraisers and organization sponsorships, Quick Quack is honored to give back to the communities they serve.
The Challenge
Elevating employee happiness in the service industry
Quick Quack Car Wash has expanded from 17 locations to over 180 in the past few years, and they've made great efforts to expand in a sustainable way. However, working in a challenging service industry isn't easy, and turnover was a challenge. They knew they needed something to help employees feel more supported and appreciated.
The Solutions
Timely, genuine appreciation that drives retention
Leadership at Quick Quack knew that improving the employee experience would require more than lip service—it would require action. With Awardco, they rolled out targeted recognition programs designed specifically to boost engagement and retention, including:
- Six-month retention rewards to celebrate early loyalty
- Generous service anniversary awards to honor milestones
- Yearly MemoryBooks® to commemorate each employee's journey and achievements
By celebrating tenure and milestones in thoughtful ways, Quick Quack created an environment where employees felt valued—and turnover fell by 20%.
Awardco's platform made it simple to recognize contributions across all stages of the employee lifecycle, reinforcing a culture where hard work and loyalty are consistently appreciated.
Getting everyone involved—including leadership
Quick Quack's admins have seen employees from separate locations recognizing each other, enhancing their culture of teamwork and collaboration.
But it's not just employees getting involved. Leadership is excited to see how their culture is building, and they've fully bought into the ROI of Awardco, creating a culture of appreciation from top to bottom.
The Results
A happier, more unified workforce
By focusing on recognition as a strategic priority, Quick Quack Car Wash achieved:
- 20% reduction in turnover
- Stronger inter-location collaboration fueled by peer recognition
- Full leadership buy-in, embedding recognition into the company's DNA
At Quick Quack, a culture of appreciation isn't just an initiative—it’s a way of life, helping employees love where they work and drive continued success across every location.
